This trail is a short and sharp hike in the Montagu Mountain Reserve, some 2.4 km in length and 214 m in elevation gain. For relatively little effort it reveals panoramic vistas of the town of Montagu, Cogmanskloof and Bloupunt. From its highest point, the old English fort in the kloof is visible, almost obscured by a spectacular rock buttress, of which there are many. The fort was constructed during the 2nd Anglo-Boer War in 1899, one of four that denied Boer commandos access to the town. The fort was garrisoned by a company of the Gordon Highlanders who were survivors of the Battle of Magersfontein.
The walk is fairly easy although the stony path can be awkward. Take care on the downhills; the stones can act like ball-bearings. Although the trail falls within the Montagu Mountain Reserve, no permit is required.
Aasvoëlkrans is Afrikaans for “vulture cliff”. Cogmanskloof (Afrikaans for “Cogman’s Gorge”) is named after a Khoi chieftain named Koekema, of which “Kogman”, or “Cogman”, is a corruption.
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